A REWARD has been offered for the return of a £1.5million haul of valuable antique statues snatched in a raid on a flat in Bournemouth.

Burglars entered a first floor flat in Studland Road, between noon and 11.20pm on Thursday, May 17, and stole 12 Art Deco statues as well as cameras and electrical equipment.

Now police are appealing for information and an insurance company has put up a £50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the offenders, and recovery of the stolen items.

Detective Sergeant Craig Travers of Bournemouth CID, said: "It looks like the thieves knew exactly what to take and there's no doubt that they would have used a vehicle to remove this number of items. It's my hope that by releasing pictures of some of the very distinctive statues, together with the offer of a substantial reward, anyone with any information about the burglary, or about those involved, will come forward.

"I can't rule out the possibility that the stolen items may be in the local area, perhaps being stored by someone who may not even know that they are looking after stolen property.

"It is also my hope that those dealing in art and antiques will take careful note of the details of the stolen statues and I'm appealing to any dealer who knows, or believes they know, the whereabouts of any item."

Witnesses and anyone with any information should telephone Dorset Police on 01202 222222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.